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I just wanted to have a voice as a woman living in Bahrain.Â
I was running at 10:30 AM in Amwaj Islands when a man pulled over in a round-a-bout and rolled down his window. He waved me over as if he needed directions. The situation seemed innocent because many visitors have been lost in Amwaj before, and it was in broad daylight in Amwaj.Â
I jogged over and he started asking me questions like "Where is Tala....how do I get there....etc" I pointed him in the right direction. Then he started asking me "Where is the Lagoon..." I began to feel that something was not right. I suddenly looked down, and saw that he had TAKEN OUT HIS **** and was it off!!! He was trying keep me there by asking stupid questions so that he could ...... Â
Disgusted and shocked, I cursed at him and ran off. I waved down the Amwaj Security and luckily the man was caught. I spent the whole morning at the police station pressing charges and feeling violated as a woman.Â
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Friends have told me that he might just get off the hook, get a fine or get a maximum of 2 days in jail????
I am just so appalled by this man's actions. I feel hurt and violated. I could not believe that something like that happened in a neighborhood like Amwaj which is regarded as safe.Â
I've also heard that I'm not the only one, and this is not the first occurrence in Amwaj.
I just don't understand why a man would violate and disrespect a woman like that on the street. Why do these men feel that any woman walking on the street is a sex object????
I feel so sad, disappointed, and very let down in the culture and in the legal system. The fact that it is accepted that all women walking on the street is a sex object. The fact that the police actually had a small chuckle when I told them about my experience. Bahrain is a conservative country and a crime like this should be carried out with severe punishments, not just a fine or 2 days in jail. Even in more liberal countries, this man would have been given more punishment.Â
......so to all the women in Bahrain. Please be safe when you go out alone. Always try to go out with a buddy. If you must go alone, DO NOT EVER TALK to anyone, no matter how innocent the situation may seem. Take precautions no matter where you live, even if you think your neighborhood is safe.Â
Last note, I would like to thank the Amwaj Manager because he is the only person that seemed to take this situation seriously. I'm really thankful that at least one person sees the seriousness of the situation.